Brussels, 10/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - The two major European gambling trade associations, the RGA and EGBA, the European Sports Security Association, along with their partners in the European player associations, EU Athletes and the PPF, have agreed to link their betting education programmes under a single code of conduct. This campaign will span 6 European sporting nations, 4 of the largest EU member states (UK, Germany, France and Spain), 7 sports and target 8,500 athletes. One aspect of this campaign is the employment of former top players and athletes to hold face-to-face discussions about how to behave properly in relation to sports and betting. Code of conduct stakeholders developed several similar conclusions at the end of their education programme last year: 1) there is a real lack of information on the ground; 2) certain sports federations do not have rules on betting or when rules exist they are not clearly communicated to the athletes; 3) sports associations are ideally placed for providing advice to athletes; 4) direct dressing-room contact with athletes is key. The recommendations to athletes as part of the code of conduct include perfect knowledge of the rules applied by their respective clubs or associations on betting, ensuring there is no conflict of interest when betting, discretion with regard to sensitive information and no interference in how events are organised. (I.L./transl.fl)